In a dramatic early showdown, Southern Maryland’s Blue Crabs clinched a 7-6 victory over the visiting Rockers, securing two wins out of a three-game series at Regency Furniture Stadium. The action-packed game saw the Blue Crabs establish a commanding lead in the initial innings, which they narrowly maintained despite a persistent challenge from the Rockers.
Right from the start, the Blue Crabs displayed formidable batting prowess. After the first two batters were retired, Anthony Brocato hammered a two-strike pitch for a homer to left field, quickly followed by Juan Kelly, who blasted the ball 400 feet to right field, marking back-to-back homers and setting the Blue Crabs ahead 2-0.
The momentum continued in the bottom of the second inning. Isaias Quiroz widened the gap with an RBI single, bringing the score to 3-0. Jaylyn Williams added excitement by getting his first hit as a Blue Crab, which set the stage for Michael Wielansky’s double that drove another run home. With two runners on base, Brocato struck again, delivering a three-run homer off the clubhouse to left field, skyrocketing the lead to 7-0.
Despite a persistent rain that soaked the field over several innings, the Rockers began their counterattack in the fifth. Starter Neil Lang, who had held the Rockers at bay, finally relented four runs on three hits, including a critical three-run homer by Nick Longhi, slicing the lead to 7-4.
The tension peaked in the eighth inning. Derek Casey, who had pitched a scoreless seventh, encountered trouble by allowing a walk and a single. His successor, Jason Creasy, faced bases loaded with one out but managed to hold the Rockers to just two runs, making the score a nail-biting 7-6. However, Creasy clinched a crucial strikeout against Zander Wiel to preserve the lead.
Closer Endrys Briceno sealed the game for Southern Maryland, ensuring a 1-2-3 finish in the ninth inning and recording his third save of the season.
The Blue Crabs are now set to travel to HP for a three-game series on the road before returning home next week, hoping to build on their successful series against the Rockers.
